Panel wiring assemblies



Sept. 25, 1962 R. J. LANDER 3,055,971

PANEL WIRING ASSEMBLIES Filed Sept. 25, 1959 INVENTOR. a a RKHARD 4.1mm

United States Patent 01 Delaware Filed Sept. 25, 1959, Ser. No. 842,335

2 Claims. (Cl. 174-72) This invention relates to a method and means for holding conductors in place relative to electrical devices, and particularly, to a locking clip means adapted to engage a conduit portion of an insulating body adapted to receive and carry electrical wiring as well as terminal means.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved method and means for holding conductors in place relative to electrical devices.

Another object of this invention is to provide a locking clip means having a U-shaped body portion and including opposite legs each having hooked ends adapted to engage shoulders provided along walls of a channel open along at least a portion thereof to receive electrical conductors to be held in place by the clip means.

Another object of this invention is to provide a combination fuse panel assembly having an insulating body including an integral channel portion into which a conductor means is adapted to be placed at ends of which there are attached clip-terminal means adapted to be fitted into engagement with the insulating body for holding the ends of the conductor means which are fastened to the channel portion by removable clip means of plastic material formed to fit transversely relative to the chan nel portion and complementary in shape relative to the channel portion so as to eliminate bulky and inconvenient fastening means such as taping of conductors to the channel portion and to permit flush mounting of the assembly relative to the surface of the mounting board.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improvement in combination in an insulating body having an integral channel portion with a pair of recesses forming shoulders to permit engagement of hook ends of a U-shaped clip means flush within confines of the body relative to which conductor means are held in a predetermined position to assure against movement, rubbing, and rattling.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improvement in an insulating body having a channel portion adapted to receive a bundled conductor means in a longitudinally extending cavity which is closed off at least in part by a transversely-mountable, substantially U- shaped clip means of plastic material including an intermediate portion that interconnects legs having lateral projections at each free end adapted to snap into locking engagement with complementary shoulders provided in side walls of the channel portion such that the intermediate portion abuts against the bundled conductor means so as to hold the same neatly in a predetermined position in the channel portion.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein preferred embodiments of the present invention are clearly shown.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary plan view of one embodiment of the panel wiring assembly of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional elevational view taken along line 22 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary plan view of another embodiment of the panel wiring assembly of the present invention.

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional elevational view taken along 44 in FIGURE 3.

With particular reference to FIGURE 1, there is shown a fuse block generally indicated by numeral 10 which forms part of a fuse panel assembly as disclosed in a copending application Serial No. 741,599 Lander et al., filed June 12, 1958, now Patent 2,955,178 issued October 4, 1960. The fuse block is molded preferably of thermoplastic material such as polystyrene or of a thermosetting resin such as Bakelite. The fuse block has a main body portion 10a adapted to fit flush against a surface S of a mounting board B, a fragment of which is shown in FIG- URE 2. The main body portion 10a has suitable openings therein relative to which terminal means T are adapted to fit in locking engagement as disclosed in the co-pending application and having integral ferrule portions F crimped into engagement with ends of conductors C which are bundled relative to each other to fit into a cavity, space, or recess such as 10r formed extending longitudinally relative to a conduit or channel portion integral with the main body portion 10a at one end thereof. The conductors C as bundled form what can be referred to generally as a wiring harness 1011.

Previously bundled wires or wiring harnesses were inserted relative to the channel portion 100 and then tape had to be wrapped around the channel and harness to retain the latter in proper position. Use of the tape made it difiicult to remove a harness from a channel portion 100. The present invention provides a panel wiring assembly having an improvement for the channel portion whereby a clip means generally indicated by numeral 12 is adapted to be locked into engagement with the channel portion in a location substantially transverse to the space 1dr. As best seen in the cross-sectional view of FIGURE 2, this clip means 12 includes an intermediate portion 12i that interconnects legs or extensions 12c. A pair of the legs 12c extend in the same direction to one side of the intermediate portion 121 and each of the legs has a lateral projection 12;) extending from a free end of each leg. The conduit 100 has side walls 10w each provided with a cut-out or slot 10s which terminates adjacent an abutment or shoulder A engageable by the lateral projection 12p. The intermediate portion 121 of each clip means is adapted to fit into cut-outs or openings 10x provided in one edge of each wall 10w. This assures flush mounting of the body portion 10a of the panel assembly including the conduit portion 10c. The conductors C of the wiring harness 10h are held in a predetermined location relative to the longitudinally extending cavity or recess 10r of the conduit 100.

A modified terminal block assembly generally indicated by numeral 20, is shown in FIGURE 3 and includes a body portion 20a with a recess or cavity 20r adapted to receive a wiring harness such as 10h including a plurality of bundled conductors C having terminals T attached to ends thereof as described above. As shown in FIGURE 3, a pair of wiring harnesses 10h can be fitted relative to the main body portion 10a from opposite directions relative to openings 20b adjacent to a conduit portion generally indicated by numeral 200 integral with the main body portion 20a adjacent to opposite corners thereof. Slots 20s are provided in wall portions 20w that form Sides of the channel portion 20c and that are integral with the main body portion 20a of the terminal block of insulating material.

A modified clip generally indicated by numeral 22 is fitted into engagement with the conduit portion 200 as best seen in FIGURES 3 and 4. The clip means 22 includes an intermediate portion 221' that interconnects legs 22e extending to one side of the intermediate portion 22i. The legs or extensions 22e terminate at their free ends in laterally outwardly extending projections 22p adapted to lock against a shoulder or abutment A-1 after the projections have been forced to slide along slots 20s along an inner surface of the walls 20w. It is apparent in FIGURE 4 that the intermediate portion 22i effects grouping of the conductors C of the harness 1011 against a transverse wall portion 20t of insulating material integral with the main body portion 10a such that flush mounting of the main body portion 20a including the integral conduit or channel portion 20c can be accomplished relative to a suitable mounting board such as B. The projections 22c and free ends of the legs or extensions 22c fit through openings 20x as best seen in the cross-sectional elevational view of FIGURE 4.

Removal of the clip means 22 is accomplished by forcing the free ends of legs 22:; including projections 22p laterally toward each other so as to permit sliding removal of the clip through openings 20x and slots 20s. Similarly a tapered surface 12: is provided adjacent to the projections 12:? such that a screw driver or other suitable tool can be forced under free ends of the extensions or legs 12s for prying the projections 12p free from the abutments A in the structure of the embodiment of FIGURES l and 2. It is apparent that in both embodiments the projections or hooked ends of the U-shaped clip can be snapped and locked or unlocked relative to shoulders or abutments so as to facilitate assemby and disassembly of the wiring harness relative to the terminal block assembly. Preferably, the U-shaped clip means is made of an insulating material Such as polystyrene or of a thermosetting resin such as Bakelite. Sufficient plasticizing material must be pro vided in a suitable mixture of plastic so as to provide a predetermined limited resilience for flexing of the extension or leg portions of the clip means. The improvement of the present invention is particularly useful as a means for securing a wiring harness to a channel portion of a terminal block for use on motor vehicles in locations such as under a dashboard panel adjacent to a firewall where flush mounting of a block assembly is particularly desirable. The terminals T serve to hold free ends of the conductors C relative to the terminal block assembly and wiring or conductors are firmly held in position relative to a conduit portion of a terminal block body portion at a location away from the end of the conductors C. Use of the clip means in accordance with the present invention assures fastening of conductor means in a predetermined position relative to a channel portion so as to assure against movement, rubbing, and rattling of the conductors or wiring harness relative to a mounting board such as B and the conduit portion of a terminal block assembly.

While the embodiments of the present invention as herein disclosed constitute a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. In a combination terminal block assembly including an insulating block that can be mounted flush adjacent to a panel board and that has an integral channel portion formed by substantially parallel walls of insulating material in which a pair of transverse outward slot-like cutouts are located opposite each other and laterally in communication with a recess extending therebetween at substantially right angles thereto for receiving a plurality of bundled conductor means longitudinally therein, the improvement which comprises a clip means having a U-shaped body of insulating material installed to fit complementary to the pair of slot-like cutouts in the Walls and including an intermediate portion as well as a pair of integral leg portions each transverse to said intermediate portion and extending a distance to permit embracing the conductor means within confines of said clip means as well as walls all of insulating material, and locking projection means integral with each of said leg portions at locations remote from said intermediate portion which extends substantially transversely to the plurality of conductor means as installed in said channel portion recess though positioning of said clip means substantially transversely of the recess as well as complementary to the transverse outward slot-like cutouts is maintained by engagement of said U-shaped body along the opposite cutouts as well as by locking of said projection means against external shoulder-like abutments provided by said walls in locations aligned with the cutouts in substantially coplanar arrangement therewith though externally of the recess and cutouts, said leg portions including said projection means as well as said intermediate portion transversely of said bundled conductor means having an interlock maintained by the shoulder-like wall abutments externally and recess communicating cutouts respectively to assure against movement of the conductor means secured in chafe-free snugly insulated relation within the recess though the terminal block assembly can be flush mounted and said clip means is held transversely therewith against wobble and displacement in said integral channel portion and simultaneously has said leg portions with externally accessible projection means to assure anchoring of said clip means in predetermined positioning relative to said channel portion though removable readily therefrom to facilitate assembly and disassembly of bundled conductor means relative thereto.

2. On a terminal block assembly for a motor-vehicle wiring harness and including a body of insulating material with at least one integral channel portion defined by insulating walls substantially parallel to each other and integral with said body to provide a channel-like recess laterally to one side for receipt of a plurality of conductor means bundled together as the harness and having terminal means fastened to ends thereof to fit complementary to the terminal block insulating body, the combination therewith of a clip means having a U-shaped body of insulating material installed to fit complementary to a pair of transverse outward slot-like cutouts in the walls in a location to have the cutouts laterally in communication with the channel-like recess extending therebetween at substantially right angle thereto, said clip means body of insulating material includ- 0 ing an intermediate portion as Well as a pair of integral leg portions each transverse to said intermediate portion and extending a distance to permit embracing the conductor means within confines of said clip means as well as walls all of insulating material, and locking projection means integral with each of said leg portions at locations remote from said intermediate portion which extends substantially transversely to the plurality of conductor means as installed in the channel-like recess though positioning of said clip means substantially transversely of the recess as Well as complementary to the transverse outward slot-like cutouts is maintained by engagement of said clip means along the opposite cutouts as well as by locking of said projection means against external shoulder-like abutments provided by said walls in locations aligned with the cutouts in substantially coplanar arrangement therewith though externally of the recess and cutouts, said leg portions including said projection means as Well as said intermediate portion transversely of said bundled conductor means having an interlock maintained by the shoulder-like wall abutments externally and recess-communicating cutouts respectively to assure against movement of the conductor means secured in chafe-free snugly insulated relation within the recess though the terminal block assembly can be flush mounted and said clip means is held transversely therewith against wobble and displacement in said integral channel portion and simultaneously has said leg portions with externally accessible projection means to assure anchoring of said clip means in predetermined positioning relative to said channel portion though removable readily 6 therefrom to facilitate assembly and disassembly of bun- FOREIGN PATENTS died conductor means relative thereto. 223,117 Great Britain Oct 17, 1924 Refeeeeeee wed in ehe file ee ehie Peeeee 132%?) $2322 33. $2 1323 5 778,551 Great Britain July 10, 1957 N STATES PATENTS 1,158,564 France June 17, 1958 g i "ff- 3?; 810,623 Great Britain Mar. 18, 1959 enne u y 2,023,433 McConnell Dec. 10, 1935 OTHER REFERENCES 2,908,744 Bolmeier Oct. 13, 1959 0 Publication I, Control Panel Conduit Features Slot 2,955,178 Lander et a1. Oct. 4, 1960 Design, Electrical Mfg, April 1956. Page 184. 

